Isle of Man

Today Man is a world-renowned offshore financial center. The island has a unique climate supported in part by the Gulf Stream, and has much to offer visitors in the way of its natural beauty and geology. Gray seals, dolphins and basking sharks can be spotted at times along coastal waters. There are Manx castles, a well preserved and maintained working Victorian island train system, and horse trams along Douglas Promenade. Man is famous for its Manx smoked kippers. Nightlife ranges from modern nightclubs to ceilidh bands in local pubs. The Races

The Manx and TT races were started in 1907 and are held each year. The first two weeks of June are the Isle of Man TT Races, the "professional" races, and the September series is the "Manx Grand Prix," the "amateur" series, both held over Man's famous 37.73 mile mountain course. These races are considered the most challenging in the world. This year the Mountain Course, first used in 1911, celebrated it's 89th anniversary. The circuit is on public roads, closed to traffic by special Manx law for the periods of practice and racing. The course goes around mountains and through villages.

Approximately 75,000 people ascend upon the island for two weeks during this time, many bringing "to-die-for" bikes along with them.

What I was wondering was how I could have allowed myself to make such a grave error as overshooting a corner on the world’s most demanding race course.

the Goose Neck

Island Photographics

As stated previously, the Isle of Man is only about 32 miles long and 10 miles wide, but to traverse it from end to end you'll think it's a hundred miles because of all the mountains, hills and dales. It's an incredibly beautiful island. The Manx generally love their biking. "It's unbelievable to stand with your pint of ale against a hay bale and see the riders go by at speeds of over 100 miles per hour just a few feet away." This said by a fan who lives to go back one day.

There were 10 races at the 2000 meeting: TT Formula 1, Senior, Junior, Lightweight 250cc, Lightweight 400cc, Ultra-Lightweight 125cc, Single Cylinder TT, Production TT and Sidecar Races. Twenty-two countries were represented: Argentina (first time!), Australia, Austria, England, France, Germany, Holland, Eire (Republic of Ireland), Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Ulster (Northern Ireland), Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Vietnam and Wales.

Overall, 23 riders have lapped at over 120 mph, but the outright lap record for the mountain course was set in 1992 in the senior race by Carl Fogarty (750 Yamaha) who lapped in 18m. 18.8s., a speed of 123.61mph. This year 10 ladies competed (as opposed to seven last year): Anita Buxton (Formula 1 and Production), Jane Parrett (Ultra Lightweight), Sandra Barnett (Formula 1, 400cc, Junior 600cc, production), Kate Parkinson (250cc), Wendy Epstein and Dawna Holloway (Sidecar - first ever female sidecar team) and sidecar passengers, Celene Cain, Rachel Norbury-Lea, Francois Leblond and Delphine Alzina.

Team USA Racing - 1999

According to Dwight Mitchell of Team USA, sponsored by Kawasaki Team Green and riding a ZX-6R in the Junior Class, and a ZX-9R in the Formula 1 and Production Classes, a handful of Americans have been regular attendees at the TT for several years, but 1999 was the first organized USA team entry since Indian won the TT over 80 years ago. Mylchreest Motors in Douglas sponsored the team with garage space, and the team was given a mayoral reception during the first week of their visit to Man. The team came home with an award in the Junior/600 Supersport race.